The Detroit Lions should make every effort this offseason to find a competent edge rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.
The way to acquiring a proven edge rusher is undoubtedly costly. The Lions must assess the costs against the hazards, as well as find the best fit based on how much they value it. If a large splash is made to get an edge rusher, he should be a combination of very excellent, experienced, and relatively young.
Brian Burns is one of the top free agent edge rushers available, if not the best, when you consider his age (25, 26 on April 23), production (at least 7.5 sacks in each of his five seasons), potential unrealized upside, and the lack of progress he and the Carolina Panthers have made in negotiating a long-term contract.
Of course, the Panthers can franchise tag Burns and keep him for one more season. However, in answer to an inquiry concerning franchise tags and tag-and-trade candidates, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated proposed a tag-and-trade involving Burns.
“…In Burns’s case, it’s because he and the Panthers haven’t been close on a long-term agreement over the last couple years.”
In November, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Panthers were anticipated to franchise tag Burns.
A tag and trade would provide a smoother path for the Lions to acquire Brian Burns.
Rather of signing him to a hefty multi-year contract straight away in March, the Panthers perhaps tagging and dealing Burns might broaden the list of clubs who could be in the hunt to get him; even if it’s only a one-year rental.
The Lions have plenty of cap space, and their late-first-round pick would be easy to trade for Burns. In terms of trading a first-round pick for an edge rusher, it might be him or no one.
Over According to the Cap’s forecasts for 2024 franchise tags, a defensive end will earn $23.348 million. If Burns were assigned a standard franchise tag, that would be totally guaranteed for 2024.
According to Spotrac, Burns’ market value is $21.7 million a year ($108.7 million over five years). It appears that the Lions can work out a long-term deal for someone who can serve as a legitimate building piece.
If the Lions are considering an aggressive effort to get an edge rusher, Burns might easily be the top target. If the Panthers franchise tag him with the intention of turning around and accepting trade offers, that is an other route to acquiring him that should not be overlooked.
